The middle-aged man in grey clothes was stunned for a moment, then his mind swiftly flashed through the rankings on the Bounty List.

His expression changed in an instant.

The fifteenth was... the Nine-Colored Deer!

Immediately, he hurried out from behind the counter and gestured with his hand, saying, "Would our esteemed guest please come upstairs."

Upon ascending to the second floor, they entered an elegant room.

Because of his prior experience eavesdropping outside the Grey Clothes Tower, Chen Ku first used the Hundred Li Tracking Technique to ensure there was no one else around after entering. He then slowly took out the bundle from his back and placed it on the table.

"This... this is..." The middle-aged man in grey, his eyelids already trembling slightly, looked at the bundle incredulously and asked, "Inside this, is the Nine-Colored Deer? Alive or dead?"

"Your Bounty List didn't specify it had to be alive. I spent considerable effort hunting it; it's dead," Chen Ku said slowly. "Five Hundred Thousand Taels of Silver, less your commission. Not a single tael less."

The Nine-Colored Deer's transformation was already recorded in his Transformation Diagram. The remaining corpse and antlers were of no great use to him; it was better to convert them into Silver.

"Let me take a look first..." The middle-aged man in grey, overwhelmingly excited, looked at the bundle and said, "May I open it for a look?"

The Nine-Colored Deer, with a bounty of five hundred thousand taels, ranked fifteenth in the Grey Clothes Tower. This level of bounty signified its extreme difficulty, hence the substantial sum. In other words, such bounties usually remained unclaimed on the list for two or three years. It was likely to continue collecting dust on the Grey Clothes Tower's Bounty List.

The middle-aged man in grey carefully opened the large bundle. Inside a wooden box, he saw a deer head with fur displaying nine different colors and antlers that seemed carved from suet jade.

"HISS! It really is the Nine-Colored Deer! Antlers branched three times! This is actually a Third Realm Nine-Colored Deer!" The man in grey knew it was genuine with just one glance. Upon touching it, he felt the deer's fur, as smooth as satin—precisely the material a certain noble young lady from the Prefecture City dreamed of for her clothing.

"Five hundred thousand taels of Silver. The tower takes a commission of five thousand taels. If you agree, I can fetch the silver notes for you right now."

Chen Ku's heart raced a bit, but he maintained a calm expression and said, "Agreed."

Soon, the middle-aged man from the Grey Clothes Tower walked out. Chen Ku, however, was prepared for any treachery; if the other party tried to double-cross him, he was resolved to reveal his abilities, shape-shift, and escape with his prize. After all, five hundred thousand taels of Silver could buy an entire street in Baojiao County.

Fortunately, he had mentally rehearsed several unexpected scenarios, but none occurred. A short while later, the middle-aged man returned, holding a brocaded box. "Here are silver notes amounting to four hundred ninety-five thousand taels, exchangeable in Qiu Dragon Mansion and throughout the counties of You State."

Chen Ku checked and counted them thoroughly, ensuring the silver notes were authentic. "Good, thank you."

Just as he was about to get up and leave, the man in grey looked at Chen Ku with a flattering expression, "Mr. Er Lang, with this transaction completed, your ranking on Baojiao County's Blade-Handler List will undoubtedly leap into the top two."

The value of the Nine-Colored Deer, five hundred thousand taels, and the difficulty of hunting it, were comparable to assassinating the Shopkeepers or experts of the three major powers. It was akin to Mr. Er Lang presenting the head of a Fourth Realm Expert. There were no more than twenty Fourth Realm Experts in all of Baojiao County, which indicated the substantial value of this fifteenth-ranked bounty.

"Ranked second?" Chen Ku paused slightly, then asked with interest, "Only second? Who is first, and what is their codename?"

"The number one Blade-Handler uses his real name, no codename," the man in grey said slowly. "He is our county's sixth-ranked expert, Blade King Wang Yixian. Lord Wang Yixian has completed ninety-six bounties at the Grey Clothes Tower and never conceals his name, allowing others to discuss him."

Chen Ku countered, "Is he ranked first just because the Blade King has completed many bounties?"

"That's not it," the man in grey calmly replied. "Blade-Handler rankings are, of course, primarily based on strength and achievements. Lord Wang Yixian's peak Meridian-Opening Cultivation is unmatched within the city's Blade-Handler camp. It's natural for him to be ranked first. However, Mr. Er Lang, if you could complete a bounty that even the Blade King couldn't, surpassing Lord Wang Yixian to become first, there would be no issue at all."

Chen Ku, smiling, feigned ignorance and asked, "What kind of bounties can even the Blade King not complete?"

"Naturally, assassinating the Shopkeepers or leaders of the three major forces in this county," the man in grey said, revealing a mysterious smile. "If Mr. Er Lang can kill any of the top ten Fourth Realm Experts listed on the Bounty List, surpassing the Blade King to become this county's Number One Blade-Handler, it would be entirely deserved."

"If I really killed one of the Shopkeepers or leaders of the three major forces, it would surely cause a sensation throughout the city. Aren't you afraid the three major forces or the government will pressure you to reveal the culprit?" Chen Ku asked with a smile.

"Sir, you still don't fully understand the Grey Clothes Tower," the man in grey said with a faint smile. "Although our establishment in Baojiao County is just a small storefront affiliated with the Twin Rivers Guild, our business actually extends throughout Daji's two capitals and thirteen provinces across the five paths. Currently, let alone Baojiao County, even the major forces in Qiu Dragon Mansion, You State, or the Southwest Path wouldn't dare to pressure our Grey Clothes Tower. Even the government, if they want intelligence, must trade and do business with us."

Chen Ku was shocked. Their business spanned Daji's two capitals and thirteen provinces across the five paths! What a terrifyingly influential organization, with reach across the entire land! This was likely the source of the Grey Clothes Tower's confidence that bounty issuers would always pay up. Viewed positively, they treated human lives as transactions, carrying out deeds for payment. Viewed negatively, they possessed the power to take any life at any moment.

Chen Ku whispered to the man in grey, "The Grey Clothes Tower truly lives up to its name."

The man in grey, however, asked sharply, "Does Sir truly intend to take on one of the top ten bounties?"

"You ask too many questions. Isn't that unsafe for me?" Chen Ku would not easily reveal his goals and thoughts.

The man in grey, realizing his slip, said, "My apologies. However, I have a suggestion. If you do accomplish such a feat, regardless of who you kill, you merely need to leave a special 'Grey Clothes Tower' mark at the scene. Then, even without bringing back the head, we will have a way to settle the account with you."

Chen Ku didn't respond further. Instead, he took out silver notes worth one hundred and fifty thousand taels from the money box and said, "With these one hundred and fifty thousand taels, I want to place bounties on five items. Two are Poisons, each with a bounty of ten thousand taels: one dose of Sixth Grade Red, and one dose of Seven Clever Bone Dissolving Powder. Another twenty thousand taels for two different Demons, the higher the Level the better: specifically, a Green Finch Mantis Shrimp and a Wooden Ox. The last item is 'One Hundred Thousand Taels of Silver Essence,' for which I offer one hundred and ten thousand taels of Silver. Of course, if the price exceeds this, and the total one hundred and fifty thousand taels isn't enough, please have the Grey Clothes Tower cover the difference. I will reimburse you when I collect the items."

"Alright, the Grey Clothes Tower accepts these five bounties," the man in grey replied, taking the silver notes. "With one hundred and fifty thousand taels deposited, you should be able to get what you want within seven days at most."

These five bounties were not particularly significant. Wealth moves hearts, and goods could be easily bartered for.

However, upon seeing the requests for Sixth Grade Red and Seven Clever Bone Dissolving Powder, his heart skipped a beat. These two Poisons... If used against Demons, they would have to be at least Four Realm Demons. If used against humans... the same would apply.

But given his professional ethics and the money involved, he naturally wouldn't inquire further. Still, a faint anticipation stirred within him. Is it really as I suspect?

「 」

Thus, Chen Ku left the Grey Clothes Tower with the remaining three hundred forty-five thousand taels in silver notes.

News that the Nine-Colored Deer bounty had been claimed and completed spread invisibly and immediately throughout Baojiao County, even reaching Qiu Dragon Mansion. Countless wealthy madams and young ladies were instantly driven mad with envy and admiration. The fur of the Nine-Colored Deer! Imagine how dazzling it would be to wear.

Even Sui Qingfang from the County Magistrate's Mansion murmured with a touch of envy, "A coat made of Nine-Colored Deer fur, draped in nine colors... I wonder which noble lady from the Prefecture City will be fortunate enough to wear such a garment."

In the courtyard, Lin Xinglong declared, "Besides the Little Princess from the Marquis of Han Shou's mansion, you won't find another in the entire Qiu Dragon Mansion who could afford such luxury."

Han Shou was a county under Qiu Dragon Mansion, known as Han Shou County. The Marquis of Han Shou was a Sixth Grade County Marquis. The title was bestowed upon a fiercely brave general who fought alongside the Grand Ancestor in founding the dynasty.

Sui Qingfang said softly, "Lord Tan appears to have come to Baojiao County for reforms, but in reality, he's merely testing the waters concerning the Marquis of Han Shou of Han Shou County... Even with Grandmaster Qin Yuxian as his protector, his path is fraught with difficulties."

Putting aside the various undercurrents regarding reforms in Baojiao County, seven days quickly passed for Chen Ku.

[Diagram Master has completely absorbed the nine streams of Third Realm Evil Qi]

He was overjoyed. He had finally fully absorbed the nine streams of Evil Qi. This meant he could now fully manifest all the abilities of the Nine-Colored Deer.

ZZZT!

All nine streams of Third Realm Evil Qi were channeled into the Nine-Colored Deer's Transformation Diagram.

[Nine-Colored Deer Transformation]

[Abilities: Gentle Breeze and Cloud Body Technique, Nine-colored Trailing Light Technique, King's Aura, Beast Language Mastery, Heart Blood Premonition, Third Realm Demons' Strength...]

Instantly, Chen Ku transformed within the room into a wondrous creature resembling crystal-white jade. With a light leap, he used the air currents to hover in mid-air for over a dozen breaths.

Is this the Gentle Breeze and Cloud Body Technique? It's almost like flying! And the Nine-colored Trailing Light Technique, that must be for stealth...

Chen Ku's figure vanished into thin air, blending seamlessly with his surroundings.

Next, he tested the King's Aura. Reverting to his human form, he went outside and called over a few sparrows using Sparrow Language. The result was significantly different from the last time.

CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP...

Three sparrows actually flew over voluntarily, landed on Chen Ku's hand, and even nuzzled him with their heads.

Indeed, King's Aura combined with Beast Language is needed to command these small creatures.

As for Heart Blood Premonition, it was presumably the Nine-Colored Deer's 'Sense Danger and Evade' ability. However, since this overlapped with an ability of the Transformation Diagram, Chen Ku didn't test it further.

After some experiments, Chen Ku went out, transformed, and arrived at the Grey Clothes Tower.

"Sir, the five items you placed bounties on have all been claimed, and the tasks completed. Please come this way to sign for them," the man in grey said courteously to Chen Ku, a major customer who had spent one hundred and fifty thousand taels.

Then, Chen Ku saw a yak covered in fur that resembled green grass; this was the Wooden Ox, possessing immense Life Force and astonishing carrying capacity. In a water basin, there was also a foot-long shrimp with a bird's tail and mantis-like claws.

"Not bad, not bad. Was there a premium?" Chen Ku asked.

"No, your offer was far above the market price, which is why the items were procured so quickly," the man in grey replied.

Chen Ku had to admit, money certainly made things easier.

Just like that, he left the Grey Clothes Tower with all his acquisitions. He temporarily housed the Wooden Ox and the Green Finch Mantis Shrimp in a small courtyard outside the city. As for the One Hundred Thousand Taels of Silver Essence, he found a secluded spot and immediately offered it as a sacrifice.

[Diagram Master has met four of the five conditions required for the Fifth Transformation Chart (4/5)]

Chen Ku took a deep breath.

Now, only the last condition remained.

A streak of Fourth Realm Evil Qi.

His gaze flickered towards the two doses of Poison he had brought back, both lethal enough to kill Fourth Realm Martial Practitioners.

Immediately, he shape-shifted into a bee the size of a fingernail. He drew the two doses of Poison into his proboscis, storing them in his 'honey sac.' Simultaneously employing the Nine-Colored Deer's transformation, he became invisible in mid-air and flew directly towards the Firewood Iron Shop...

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